Cocaine addiction continues to be a major problem in the U.S. with no FDA-approved pharmaceutical therapy. Finding effective treatment for cocaine addiction has long been a challenge to scientists and clinicians. Psychosocial interventions known as behavior therapies are the cornerstone of cocaine addiction treatment. However, there is an urgent need to further improve treatment outcomes, especially during early recovery and the protracted withdrawal phase of the treatment since many patients drop out or relapse during this phase. Our clinical experience and studies suggest that integrative Meditation (IM) helps reduce cravings and withdrawal symptoms and increases treatment retention. The benefit of IM is well supported by tension-reduction theory and attention-networks framework in addiction treatment. The proposed study will implement a therapy development study to add IM as a self-care component to the current outpatient treatment of cocaine addiction to improve treatment outcomes.

The specific aims of the proposed study include: 1) to conduct a 12-week controlled trial with outpatient cocaine users to assess feasibility of recruiting and retaining cocaine addicts and to determine effect size of IM-augmented treatment in comparison with Nondirective Therapy (NT) control, with both groups receiving standard outpatient treatment as usual (TAU), thereby facilitating future larger scale therapy development study; and 2) to examine the changes in attention networks and negative mood as possible mediators of treatment outcomes between the two groups.

Stage 3: Revitalization and Relapse Prevention. Wk 7: customize guided imagery. Wk 8: introduce full version of IM. Wk 9: techniques of handling random thoughts during meditation and learn to separate thoughts from action. Wk 10: how to use IM techniques to handle different relapse triggers. Wk 11: different ways to integrate IM technique into daily life. Wk 12: review, feedback, and provide local sources for more meditation practice and study.

Active Comparator: Nondirective Therapy

Behavioral: Supportive Counseling

NT is a procedure in which the therapist refrains from directing the client, but instead reflects back to the client what the latter has said. NT is chosen for this study to control for non-specific effects that show to contribute to outcome such as therapeutic alliance and therapist competency.

The protocol for the individualized NT will mirror the layout of IM therapy -12 weekly meetings, 30 minutes each. Subjects in NT group will be instructed to do Diaphragmatic Breathing (DB) exercise and will be given assigned homework (writing journal) and track progress. DB is incorporated into the NT as treatment providing non-specific effects associated with attention and homework completion.

used cocaine in the past 3 weeks, and cocaine is one of the major abused substances if using multiple drugs (urine cocaine positive at least once in the past 3 urine tests)

is willing to adhere to the study protocol (e.g. provide urine samples, attend all visits and follow-ups in the next 6 months).

Exclusion Criteria:

poses a current suicidal risk, including active suicidal ideation, recent suicidal behavior or suicide attempt in the past 30 days

has a history of schizophrenia or other psychotic disorder

unable to read or understand questions in English

currently participates in other clinical study on addiction

Contacts and Locations

Choosing to participate in a study is an important personal decision. Talk with your doctor and family members or friends about deciding to join a study.
To learn more about this study, you or your doctor may contact the study research staff using the Contacts provided below.
For general information, see Learn About Clinical Studies.

Please refer to this study by its ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT01211418